President Donald Trump’s approval rating dropped below 30 percent for the first time during both his terms, as the midterms draw near. A recent poll by American Research Group, conducted from September 16-20 among 1,100 American adults, revealed Trump’s overall approval rating at 29 percent. Positive views on the economy stood at 26 percent.

Overall, 72 percent of those surveyed believe the U.S. economy is worsening, given rising gas and grocery prices. Despite the Trump administration attributing these pressures to the previous administration, many are unconvinced. By contrast, other recent polls have generally shown Trump with approval ratings in the mid-to-high 30s, although results vary by policy area.

The last time a president’s approval was in the 20s was during President George W. Bush’s term at the end of 2008, according to Gallup’s presidential approval tracker. Newsweek sought a comment from the White House on Monday morning regarding the survey results.

Trump’s New Approval Rating: Key Points

The ARG survey released Monday indicated 68 percent of voters disapproved of Trump’s presidency, a 2 percent increase from August. Views on the economy were less favorable, with 71 percent disapproving of Trump’s handling, up from 69 percent the preceding month. Only 6 percent of those surveyed expected economic improvement over the next year, while 70 percent forecast worsening conditions.

These findings represent a significant setback for a president who frequently promotes his economic policies. Personal finance concerns were evident, with fewer than 20 percent viewing their household finances positively, contrasting with 75 percent who viewed them negatively.

In February 2025, following Trump’s return to the White House, nearly half of Trump supporters believed in economic improvement; this optimism has since dissipated.

Comparisons with Other Presidents

According to Gallup’s presidential approval rating tracking over decades, the last instance of a president’s rating dipping below 30 percent was during the 2008 global financial crisis when Bush faced increasing scrutiny before the election. On average, President Barack Obama had a 48 percent approval rating, while President Joe Biden has around 42.2 percent.

During Trump’s first and second terms, his average approval was approximately 41 percent. When he departed from the White House the first time, his rating stood at around 34 percent.